–$10,000 Grand Prize will help Lenny's shelter continue their efforts to support animal adoption–
STERLING, Ill., June 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Rescue pup, Lenny Kravitz, was once unrecognizable, covered in ticks and severe matting making it impossible for potential adopters to see the lovable dog underneath. That all changed, however, when after a life-altering grooming he not only found his forever family but also won top honors in the 2025 Wahl® Dirty Dogs Contest. Thanks to public votes on TikTok, this once-forgotten pup is now a symbol of transformation—and his win comes with a $10,000 grant for Pinky Paws Search & Rescue in Selma, CA, the shelter that gave him a second chance.
Animal advocate Lee Asher talks about the importance of grooming when it comes to adoption and shares the winners of the fourteenth annual Wahl Dirty Dogs Contest.
1st Place: $10,000 – Lenny Kravitz
2nd Place: $3,000 – Mattie
3rd Place: $2,000 – Gizmo
Pet grooming leader Wahl® and Greater Good Charities teamed up once again for the 14th annual Wahl® Dirty Dogs Contest. The effort celebrates the power grooming has in helping rescue dogs get adopted by supporting shelters across the country with vital grooming supplies and monetary grants.
Meet the winners of the 2025 Wahl® Dirty Dogs Contest:
Found wandering near a chicken farm in California, Lenny Kravitz was a matted mystery pup hiding beneath five pounds of painful fur. After his rescue and groom, Lenny was renamed Marzipan and now lives a pajama-wearing dream life in Pennsylvania. His transformation won the public heart and a $10,000 grant which will help his shelter Pinky Paws Search & Rescue in Selma, CA, continue their life-saving work.
"From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to Wahl® and to everyone who supported us," said Krystle Woodward, founder of Pinky Paws Search & Rescue. "We may be small, but we never give up. For 19 years, we've been a voice for abused and abandoned animals—on call 24/7. Grooming is often the first step toward healing, and Wahl's® products help us give neglected pets a fresh start. This is truly a blessing."
Mattie's story of survival touched many. Rescued from a hoarding situation and suffering from burns under her mats, she blossomed after grooming and love from her foster family—who soon adopted her. Her 2nd place finish brings a $3,000 grant to her shelter Rescue Me WV Inc. in Martinsburg, WV.
Locked in a basement, matted and starving, Gizmo couldn't even walk. After two hours of grooming, a tiny, hopeful dog emerged. He's now healthy, happy, and awaiting a forever home. His 3rd place win earns $2,000 for his shelter Greater Birmingham Humane Society in Birmingham, AL.
"We're honored to support the shelters that make these transformations possible every day," said Zach Wyer, Senior Director of Marketing for Wahl®. "Lenny, Mattie, and Gizmo are proof that a fresh start—and a fresh haircut—can completely change a dog's life."
In addition to counting as a vote, each comment on TikTok served as an entry to win a Wahl® Pets Prize Pack, and thousands of pet lovers joined in to amplify these stories of hope.
The campaign also continues its partnership with animal advocate Lee Asher, founder of The Asher House. "This contest is more than a competition—it celebrates the resilience of rescue dogs and the unsung heroes who care for them," said Asher. "I'm proud to partner with a company that not only donates pet grooming supplies, helping thousands of dogs look and feel their best, but also spotlights the true spirit of rescue by helping these dogs be seen for who they really are."
About Wahl Pet Products Wahl® offers a full line of pet grooming solutions that make grooming from home safe, easy and enjoyable. The line includes hygiene products, clippers and accessories. Every year, Wahl® is also dedicated to giving shelter animals a fresh start by donating pet grooming products to support adoption efforts and shelters devastated by natural disasters. For more information, visit WahlUSA.com.
About Greater Good Charities Greater Good Charities is a 501(c)(3) global nonprofit that works to help people, pets, and the planet by mobilizing in response to need and amplifying the good. Greater Good Charities, with a Four-Star rating on Charity Navigator and a Platinum Seal on GuideStar, has invested more than $750 million in impact, including cash grants, in-kind supplies, and programmatic support, to charitable partners in 121 countries since 2007. To learn more about how Greater Good Charities is amplifying the good across the globe, please visit greatergood.org or follow Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, and TikTok.
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